Image caption
Dyson is better known for its vacuum cleaners than its cars

Dyson said the electric car team – which up until now has been based in its Malmesbury headquarters in the Cotswolds – would shortly move to its new research and development base in Hullavington in Wiltshire.

The privately-owned firm is yet to decide where its electric cars – once they have been designed – will be manufactured.

The UK is reported to be in contention for the work, along with Singapore, Malaysia and China.

‘Asia enthusiasm’

High demand in Asia was the biggest drivers of last year’s performance, with Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea together accounting for almost three quarters of 2017 sales.

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Media captionThe skills shortage pushing Dyson to Asia

Billionaire founder James Dyson said people in Asia had “an extraordinary enthusiasm for technology that works”.